Does it seem strange to you that only shepherds came to welcome Jesus at his birth? Of course, there were angelic messengers announcing his birth, which is more along the lines of what we would expect of a Messianic arrival. But no other people have welcomed him in this story, so far.
Maybe it is because he arrived in such a lowly and unexpected way. Of the many common themes throughout the Bible, one of them certainly is that God often shows up in unexpected ways.
In today’s passage from Luke 2:22-38, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to a place we would expect him to be recognized. They are taking him to the Temple in Jerusalem. And here we will find at least two people who have been waiting for his arrival.
First, let me explain why Mary and Joseph are taking Jesus to the Temple forty days after his birth. God’s law required the Israelites to offer a sacrifice at the Temple after the birth of each child.(Leviticus 12) What’s more, each firstborn son was to be dedicated to God, as well. This was to remind them that God had delivered all the firstborn at the time of the Exodus, when the Angel of Death passed over the houses that had the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on the doorposts of their homes. (Exodus 13:2,13-15).
So Mary and Joseph traveled the six miles from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to follow the law, to offer their sacrifice to the Lord, and to dedicate their firstborn son, Jesus. It is in Luke 2:24 that we learn how poor Mary and Joseph are, since it mentions that their offering was the offering allowed for the poor, “a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.” If their financial situation had been better, they would have offered a year old lamb.
While they are there, they have a surprise encounter with an older man named Simeon.
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples; a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”Luke 2:25-32 (WEB)
How beautiful! Simeon not only recognizes Jesus as the long awaited Messiah, but he also prophesies about his mission of salvation which is for all the nations. God, through the Holy Spirit, is confirming the dedication of His son and clearly stating his mission. Just as he told Joseph, “You shall name him Jesus [which means “salvation”], for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”(Luke 1:21 WEB)
Yet as Simeon turns to Mary, he has some sobering words to say, as well.
“Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:34-35 (WEB)
These words must have startled Mary. For now she understands that even though being the mother of the Messiah was a great and honorable assignment, it would not come without suffering.
As Simeon was talking, an elderly widow named Anna joined them. She was a prophetess who spent all her time at the Temple worshiping God. Verse 38 says, “Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.”
So here we finally find some people who recognize the Savior when they see Him! As Mary and Joseph follow God’s leading, and as Simeon and Anna are led by the Holy Spirit, their lives converge at the place of God, bringing about a memorable moment for them all.
Do we recognize Jesus when He shows up in our life? Some of what Simeon said was startling to hear. Sometimes when we follow God, the mission is not as easy as we might like. Sometimes the difficulties or trials that accompany life make it hard for us to see him in our midst.
Often we demand that God show up in the way we expect. We want our loved one to be healed instantly. We want a relationship to be restored. We want the past to be revived. We want our inner turmoil to cease. We want the cupboard to be full.
What we find instead is…a Savior walking with us through the sickness, using the journey as an Emmaus Road as he teaches us more about Him. The relationship we wanted restored…it may be replaced with a deeper relationship with Christ, one that becomes a bedrock for our souls. The past we wanted to revive…it may need to be buried before we can see Christ in the hope of a new beginning. Our inner turmoil…it may never be quenched until we open ourselves to the work of the Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. And the cupboard…it may remain sparse until our hearts can receive the compassion, empathy, and thankfulness that allow us to become His hands to help others or receive Him in help from another.
Will you look for Christ? He is there. Will you receive Him even when He comes in the unexpected? He will be found by us if we seek Him. He is seeking us.
“Simeon’s Song,” by Tommy Walker, sung by Nia Allen and Tommy Walker, piano by Jonté Moore.
Scripture verses are from the Worl English Bible (WEB), Public Domain.